The correct volume for a studio microphone really depends on the instrument being recorded as microphones do not so much have a volume themselves, rather they have a maximum volume they can receive without distortion. Achieving proper volume when recording is perhaps the most important single thing you can do to create a quality recording.
Gain Staging
The principle of gain staging is to figure out the dynamic range of your source, whether that is an electric guitar amplifier or a singer, and to maximize that source's recorded volume without distortion. Simply put, gain staging is setting the correct volume of all of the devices your microphone will run through, like reverb units, compressors and pre-amplifiers, to get the maximum amount of level recorded while creating the least amount of unwanted noise possible.
The easiest way to achieve this is to set all of your devices to their lowest output level and work your way up from there. Generally, you want to record at the highest possible volume without distortion or clipping.
Dynamic Microphones
Dynamic microphones are often used in the recording studio to record loud instruments like guitar amplifiers, bass drums and snare drums. Other more sensitive microphones, like ribbon or condenser microphones, are not generally meant be exposed to the decibel level produced by these instruments, and they will distort in an unpleasant way. Dynamic microphones are made with that purpose in mind and work well to record loud instruments at a close distance. A common use of a dynamic microphone is to place one about 6 inches from grill cloth on an electric guitar amplifier. This will give a tight, focused sound.
Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphones
Large diaphragm condenser microphones (LDCs) are most commonly used to record vocals in the studio. LDCs are sensitive and known to pick up small details other microphones may not. These types of microphones are often used for acoustic guitars as well. Many engineers use these microphones for louder sources, like electric guitar amplifiers and drums, but they must be careful to allow more space between the source and microphone to prevent distortion.
Ribbon Microphones
Ribbon microphones are often considered the most realistic sounding microphones--meaning they capture a sound that is similar to that heard by the human ear. However, ribbon microphones are sensitive and can distort easily. Common uses for ribbon microphones are vocals and acoustic guitars. Ribbon microphones also have less output gain than most other microphones and require preamplifiers that can provide extra gain without producing unwanted noise.
Tags: electric guitar, microphones often, without distortion, acoustic guitars, correct volume, Dynamic microphones
